In times like these we are consciously taking time to remind ourselves about the wonders in the world every day Some things in nature just leave you scratching your head in wonder! We’d love to hear about a fact or something bizarre or interesting you learn each day. This colorful tube is actually part of a plant, the North American Pitcher plant, and is a leaf that has been modified through evolution for one purpose – to attract, capture and then digest insects! ⠀
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North American Pitcher plants are among over 800 species of ‘carnivorous plants’ known from around the world, and are among the most unique and highly evolved plants on the planet. Carnivorous plants live in areas with very nutrient-poor soils, and by flipping the normal rules of nature on their head by eating animals and using the nutrients from captured prey, they can survive where other plants normally cannot. Even Charles Darwin was completely fascinated by carnivorous plants! Sadly, these beautiful and incredible plants, like so many other wonderful species, are facing increasing threats from things like land development and illegal collection for the cut flower industry.⠀
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Photo by our awesome Adam Cross who studies these amazing plants (and provides a lot of the facts on our sister project @skwoodlekids).
